Belt buckle



March 23, 1965 H. P. BENSON BELT BUCKLE Filed June 4, 1962 m mm A a. h mI M g III M e f M w W United States Patent C) 3,174,202 BELT BUCIGJEHorace P. Benson, Attleboro, Mass, assignor to B & J Jewelry Co., Inc,Attleboro Falls, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Filed June 4,1962, Ser. No. 199,868 1 Claim. (Cl. 24-230) The present inventionrelates to a belt buckle. More particularly, the present inventionrelates to a buckle construction for use with an elongated beltpreferably of that type that is formed of stretchable materials.

The belt buckle embodied herein has particular appli cation with beltsthat are formed of a material other than the conventional leathermaterial. In the conventional leather belt, a buckle having a tongue isnormally secured to one end of the belt, the tongue being adapted to beinserted through an eye in'the other end of the belt when the belt issecured around the waist of the wearer. In recent years, various othermaterials have been utilized in the fabrication of belts, and since theconventional eye or opening cannot be formed in the body of the belt,other types of buckle constructions have been developed. The presentinvention includes a novel arrangement of a buckle member and a claspmember that are adapted to be easily and quicmy united when the belt isplaced around the waist of the wearer. The clasp member is adapted to beinserted in engaging relation with the buckle member on the inside orunexposed portion thereof, thereby imparting an ornamental and modemappearing etfect to the buckle when it is located on the waist of thewearer. By utilizing a spring loaded latch in the clasp construction andproviding a bridge on the rear side of the buckle member that spans thewidth thereof, a convenient latching arrangement is formed that enablesthe wearer to easily secure the clasp member to the buckle member or toremove it therefrom.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide afastening device for use with an elongated belt that includes a bucklemember and a clasp member that are each secured to an end of the belt,the buckle member and clasp member being united by a unique lockingaction.

Another object of the invention is to provide a buckle construction foruse with a belt wherein the buckle member and clasp member are adaptedto be interlocked in overlapping relation.

Still another object is to provide a clasp construction for use with abuckle that includes a spring urged latch that is adapted to secure theclasp construction to the buckle.

Still another object is to provide a metallic buckle construction foruse with belts formed of stretchable materials, the buckle constructionincluding an interlocking buckle and clasp member.

Still another object is to provide a clasp member for use with a bucklewherein the clasp member is inserted between the body of the bucklemember and a bridge, a spring urged latch on the clasp member engagingthe bridge in the assembled position of the members to firmly lock themtogether.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered inconnection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplated byme for carrying out my invention:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the fastening device embodiedherein as it is located in assembled position on the ends of anelongated belt;

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FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along lines 22 in tion of the claspmember of the fastening device prior to movement thereof to the lockingposition in the buckle member;

FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the assembled clasp member andbuckle member of the fastening device embodied herein;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the clasp member illustratedin FIGS. 2 through 5; and

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a modified form of claspmember.

The clasping device embodied in the present invention has particularapplication in belt constructions and is particularly designed for usewith those belts that are formed of non-leather materials. In such beltconstructions, it is not practical to utilize the conventional tongueand eye belt buckle unless additional leather strips are secured to theends of the non-leather portions of the belt. It has been found thatinteresting ornamental effects may be created by securing fasteningelements directly to the ends of those belts that are formed ofnon-leather materials. The present invention not only provides a beltconstruction that is ornamental in appearance, but also includes abuckle and clasp member that are easily and quickly locked in positionor removed from the locked position thereof.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 6 of the drawing, one form of theinvention embodied herein is illustrated and includes a fastening devicegenerally indicated at 10 that is adapted to be secured to a belt 12.The belt 12 may be formed of any suitable material, such as leather ormetal mesh, but is preferably formed of a non-leather, non-metallicmaterial that has stretching characteristics. This type of belt hasrecently found great favor in the trade and has a variety ofapplications. As shown more clearly in FIGS. 2 and 4, one end of thebelt 12 indicated at 14 is secured to a buckle member 16 of thefastening device 10, while the other end of the belt 12 indicated at 18is secured to a clasp member generally indicated at 20.

The buckle member 16 defines the exterior element of the fasteningdevice 10 and is formed with a generally curved body portion 22 that mayhave any ornamental configuration or design etched or cast as apermanent part on the outer surface thereof. Formed integral with thebody portion 22 but disposed at right angles with respect thereto areinwardly directed side walls 24 and 26. Both side walls 24 and 26 areforeshortened with respect to the length of the arcuate or curved bodyportion 22 wherein the extreme outer edges of the body portion defineoppositely disposed guide edges or lips 28 and 30. Joined to'the sidewalls 24 and 26 adjacent the edges thereof are opposed pins or rolls 32and 34, the pins 32 and 34 preferably including reduced outer endportions that extend through openings formed in the side walls 24, 26.The pins 32, 34 are thus mounted for relative rotation between the side'walls 24, 26. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the pins 32, 34 not onlybridge the width of the body portion 22, but are also spaced from theinner surface thereto to define slots therewith. The pin 34 of thebuckle member 16 is provided for receiving the end 14 of the belt 12. Asshown in FIG. 2, the end 14 of the belt 12 extends around the pin 34 andterminates in an adjustment clip 36 that is provided fgr adjusting thelength of the belt 12 as is well known in t e art.

The clasp member 20 as mentioned above is secured to the end 18 of thebelt 12, and for this purpose is provided with a base element 38 shownmore clearly in FIG. 6. The base element 38 has a generally rounded noseportion 40 and is generally curved or arcuate in configuration toconform to the curved inner surface of the body, portion 22 of thebuckle member 16. Extending around the sides and nose portion 40 of thebase element 38 is a flange 42 that tapers from the rear end of the.base element to the nose portion. Joined to the flange 42 and. dependingtherefrom in spaced relation are tabs 44, the purpose of which will bedescribed hereinafter. Formed in the base element 38 adjacent the rearedge thereof and extending the width thereof is a slot 46 which asillustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4 receives the end 18 of the belt 12 therein.The belt 12 is thus secured to the clasp memher 20, and the ends of thebelt are fastened together when the clasp member 20 and buckle member 16are united in interlocking relation. Although not shown, the end 18 ofthe belt 12 may also, be secured to an adjust- 'ment clip similar to theadjustment clip 36.

in order to lock the clasp member 20 to the buckle member 16, a latch 48is provided and is secured to the base element 38 in outwardly urgedrelation. The latch 48 includesxa wall 50 that has a flange 52 joined tothe edges thereof that tapers from a rounded rear portion 54 to arelatively enlarged front portion that defines a shoulder 56. Borderingthe flange 52 is a marginal flanged portion 58 that has an upwardlyextending tab portion 60-joined to the rear end thereof.

Interposed between base element 38 and the latch 48 is a spring member62 that has a struck-out portion 64 that is provided for urging thelatch 48 outwardly with respect to the base element 38. In order tosecure the latch 48 and spring member 62 to the base element 38, asecuring element 66 is provided and includes a central opening 68 thatbase configuration generally similar to that of the wall 50 and flange52 joined thereto. Joined to the marginal edge of the securing element66 that surrounds the opening 68 is a wall 70. As shown more clearly in.

FIG. 6, the marginal portion of the securing element 66 surrounding theopening 68 is provided with notches 72, which, as will be describedhereinafter, are adapted to receive tabs 44 for securing the variouscomponents of the clasp member 20 in assembled relation. When the claspmember is disposed in the assembled position thereof, the securingelement 66 is secured to the base element 38,-the spring member 62 andthe latch 48 being interlocked between the base and securing elements.It will be noted that the configuration of the securing element 66 issubstantially similar to that of the base element 38 so that when thesecuring element 66 is disposed inthe assembled position thereof, itfits within the confines of the flange 42 of the base element 38. Inthis position, the flange 52 of the wall 50 projects through the opening68 in the securing element 66, the shoulder 56 being exposed. Since thespring member 64 is interposed between the base element 38 and the latch48, it will be seen that the latch '48 will be urged to anouter-position when the securing element 66 is locked to the baseelement 38. As noted above, the tabs 44 are adapted to be receivedwithin the notches 72 formed in the securing element 66,- the tabs 44being bent over as illustrated in FIG. to firmly engage the marginalportion of the securing element 66. In the assembled position of theclasp member 20, the shoulder 56 of the wall 50 is normally urgedoutwardly as shown in FIG. 4 and, as will be described, is adapted to becompressed against the action of the spring 62 in the latching operationof the clasp member with the belt member.

After the end 18 of the belt 12 has been inserted through the slot 46 ofthe base element 38 and secured in place by the suitable adjustment clipand the end 14 of the belt 12 is secured around the pin 34 and lockediii position by the adjustment clip 36, the ,belt may be inserted aroundthe waist of the wearer and fastened thereon by the fastening device 10.The fastening operation is accomplished by inserting the clasp member 20in the slot defined by the pin 32 and the rear surface of the bodyportion 22 of the buckle member 16. The pin 32 is spaced from the rearsurface of the body portion 22 such that the wall 70 of the securingelement 66 is slidably received therein, This defines the greatestdimension and thickness of the clasp member 20 with the exception of theoutwardly urged latch 48. Since the latch is depressible against theaction of the spring 62, it will move inwardly as shown in FIG. 4 as theclasp member 20 is moved within the confines of-the buckle member 16.The pin or roll 32 cooperates with therear surface of the body portion22 to force the latch 48 in the base element 38. When the clasp element20 has been pushed inwardly of the belt member 16 sufiiciently for theshoulder 56 to clear the pin 32, the latch 48 will spring outwardly inresponse to movement of the spring 62 and the shoulder 56 will lookbehind the pin 32 as illustrated in FIG. 2 in the drawing. In theassembly of the clasp member 20 with the belt member 16, the lip 28tends to guide the reduced forward or leading edge or nose of the claspmember 20 and thereby acts as a guide in the assembly of the claspmember 20 with the belt member 16. It is seen that the clasp member 20may be easily and quickly disassembled from the position illustrated inFIG. 2 by forcing the latch 48 inwardly and exerting an outward force onthe clasp member 20. Since the shoulder 56 will be moved inwardly toclear the pin 32, the latch member may be easily'rernoved from theassembled position thereof. It will be noted that the spring 62 in theassembled position substantially occupies the space within the flange 52of the latch 48 and thereby prevents it from endwise or sidewisemovement in the latching and unl-atching operation.

Furthermore, the marginal portion 58 of the latch 48 overlaps themarginal edge of the securing element 66, and the latch 48 is thuslocked in the clasp element for movement as described in response to theoutwardly urging force of the spring 62.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a modified form of the clasp The clasp member74 includes a base element 76 that has a shape and configurationgenerally similar to the base element 38. The body portion of the baseelement 76 is provided with a transverse slot 78 that is adapted toreceive the end of a belt in the manner as described above. Also formedin the base element 76 is a slot 80 that has a configuration generallysimilar to a latch 82. The latch 82 is identical in construction to thelatch 48 and includes an outwardly projecting shoulder 84 and a flange86 that defines the marginal area or portion of the latch. A spring 88substantially identical to the spring 62 is also utilized in the claspmember 74, and the assembly is completed by a securing element 90. Thesecuring element 90 isformed with an imperforate body portion that hasslots 92 formed around the margin thereof in spaced relation, the slots92 receiving corresponding tabs 94' that are formed on the marginalflange 96 of the base element 76. The body portion of the securingelement 90 is bent at one end thereof to define a wall 98. In theassembly of'the clasp member 74 illustrated in FIG. 7, the body of thelatch 82 fits within the opening 80 in the base element 76, the marginalflange 86 of the latch engaging the underside of the base element 76 andsurrounding the opening 80. The latch 82 is thus contained Within thebase element 76, the shoulder 84 being exposed by the opening 80. Thespring 88 and the latch 82 are secured in the assembled position thereofby locating the securing element 90 within the marginal flange 960i thebase element and turning in the tabs 94 within the slots 92. With theclasp member 74 located in assembled position, the uniting thereof inclasped relation with the buckle member 16 is similar to that describedabove inconnection with clasp member 20.

While there is shown and described herein certain specific structureembodying the invention, it will be mani- 5 fest to those skilled in theart that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlyinginventive concept and that the same is not limited to the particularforms herein shown and described except insofar as indiciated by thescope of the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

A fastening device for use with an elongated belt, comprising a bucklemember and a clasp member, said buckle member including a body portionhaving an inner surface and an outer surface, spaced side walls joinedto said body portion and disposed in perpendicular relation with respectthereto, a first transversely extending pin secured to said side wallsand bridging the inner surface of said body portion in spaced relationwith respect thereto, one end of said belt extending around said firstpin for securing said buckle member to said belt, a second transverselyextending pin secured to said side Walls and bridging the inner surfaceof said body portion and disposed in spaced relation with respectthereto, wherein a slot is defined between said second pin and the innersurface of said body portion, said clasp member including a baseelement, one end of which is joined to the other end of said belt, alatch positioned on said base element and including an outwardlyprojecting shoulder, means for urging said latch to an outer positionfor normally exposing said shoulder, and means for securing said latchand urging means in assembled relation with said base element, saidclasp member being united with said buckle member by inserting saidclasp member into the slot formed in said buckle member, the shoulder onsaid latch being depressed by said second pin as the clasp member slidesin said slot until the shoulder clears said second pin on the inner edgethereof, whereupon said urging means snaps said latch outwardly to causesaid shoulder to lock behind said second pin, the portion of said baseelement that overlies said urging means and latch being imperforate todefine a base for said urging means, said securing means having anopening formed therein through which said latch projects for engagementwith said second pin when said clasp member is united with said bucklemember, said base element having a rounded nose portion and includingmarginal flanges that define an enclosure for said base element, saidlatch having a rounded rear portion and including marginal flanges thatalso define an enclosure, and said urging means including a springmember that is formed in blank form of spring material and having aconfiguration that is generally coincident with that of the enclosure insaid latch, a portion of said spring member being struck out to form anintermediate urging leg that engages said base element.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS398,780 Hirst Feb. 26, 1889 1,800,690 Leventhal Apr. 14, 1931 2,166,902Freysinger July 18, 1939 2,710,999 Davis June 21, 1955 2,888,724Anderson June 2, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 705,550 Germany May 2, 1941804,896 Germany May 4, 1951 1,106,233 France Dec. 15, 1955 68,145 FranceApr. 8, 1958 (Addition to No. 1,086,621) 1,198,377 France Dec. 7, 1959

